Box Score SENATOBIA – Despite six scorers in double figures for the host Rangers, it was visiting Southwest who shot a stifling 62 percent in the second half and built a 13-point lead before holding on for a 91-88 win.

"I thought execution wise and statistically we could've done more," 10th-year head coach Bubba Skelton said. "They outshot us from the 3-point line and better overall from the field. But I was proud our guys found a way for us to stay in the game and be in it at the end. Our intensity and effort was good and I thought we tried to play as a team. We've just got to get better at some fundamental things." 

In a very physical matchup to open the 2013-14 season, the teams were whistled for a combined 66 fouls and shot 92 total free throws. Southwest hit just 29 of 52 from the charity stripe, while Northwest was 29 for 40.

In an evenly matched first half, both teams shot 40 percent from the floor with eight ties and four lead changes. Northwest (0-1) led 40-38 at the break thanks to Gavin Robinson's jumper with 35 ticks left.

Tied at 47-all with 16:12 to play, Southwest (1-0) got buckets from five different Bears as part of a 20-7 run to take a 67-54 lead at the 10:54-mark. 

Seven quick points from freshman Sharwyn McGee and a 3-pointer by Dajon Reno cut what was a 13-point deficit down to six before five consecutive points from freshman Courtney Shannon tied the game at 73-all with 7:20 to play.

The teams then exchanged three ties over the next 4 minutes before Southwest got a go-ahead 3-pointer by Twymond Howard to make it 82-81 Southwest. Howard hit just 4 of 17 shots on the night, but connected on the one that put the Bears ahead for good.

Northwest got within 89-88 with 20 seconds to go when Rashon Coleman hit a 3-pointer, but Deione Weeks would salt away the win with 6 seconds to go on a pair of free throws. 

Southwest shot 50 percent for the game against 37 percent shooting for Northwest, owned a small edge on the boards, 47-45, and used 34 bench points.

Jaylen Moore and Weeks led Southwest with 17 points apiece, while Tristan Moore had 15 on 4 of 8 shooting to lead six Rangers in double figures. 

Northwest will hit the road on Thursday, traveling to Mid-South for a 7 p.m. tip in West Memphis, Ark.